Receiver Born Without Left Hand Sets HS Record

Kris Silbaugh set the receiving yardage record for his Pennsylvania high school. He did so without a left hand.

“It was just some sort of birth defect,” Silbaugh toldUSA Today. “Nothing was wrong. It has never stopped me. I just don’t let it; never have.”

The senior receiver, who also plays basketball and volleyball, set the record on a 43-yard touchdown reception in a 63-0 shutout of Saegertown by his Cambridge Springs team. The play gave him 915 receiving yards on his career at Cambridge Springs.

Silbaugh makes up for his lost hand with his quick feet. He runs a 4.4 forty.

Silbaugh says coaches initially reacted with disbelief when he expressed a desire to play receiver. But his performance quickly won them over.

“I’m pretty confident because of my speed and I just feel like every ball is a catchable ball for me,” Silbaugh told USA Today. “I’ve been getting a few letters from colleges, but I’m just focusing on the season. I just want to help the team in any way that I can.”